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Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Dennis Knutson: November 2013

Gene Watson's Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene Watson's Peers, who were contacted during 2013, were most gracious with their time and words.

It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Dennis Knutson, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 26 November 2013.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Dennis Knutson who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Dennis Knutson (right) pictured with David Frizzell

Dennis KnutsonThis quote was submitted on Tuesday 26 November 2013.

'I never met Gene, but I think he probably has one of the smoothest voices in the business and I am a big fan of his talent.

I was honoured that he cut mine and 'Doodle' Owens' songs 'Cold Summer Day in Georgia' and 'I Don't Think She'd Really Mind at All'.

Best of luck to Gene in the future!'

Thank you, Dennis Knutson, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Dennis Knutson...

Dennis Knutson photo of byronhillmusic.com

Dennis Knutson is an old fashioned blue collared songwriter who writes songs for all the right reasons. Over the years, Dennis has put together quite a resume of genuine craft, from cutting his teeth writing for Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) with an exclusive writing deal to loading up the truck to head to Nashville and penning a thread of hits for George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013).

Never at a loss for a great story, Dennis Knutson has bared his soul, writing honest lyrics that went on paper for scores of the all time great country music singers.

The year was 1951; Dennis Knutson was around the age of seven years old when a moment of faith would articulate what would become his calling in this life. A father/son drive in a 1939 Buick Century with the radio playing a Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 - Saturday 19 July 1975) song, a fresh faced youngster would take notice to the resonance in Lefty’s tone of voice that made the dashboard chrome grill buzz. It was a moment in time that would plant a seed for a fruitful labour of love in songwriting.

Around the same time, a friend of the family brought over a 45 single record of Hank Williams Senior (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953).

Dennis Knutson holds these two icons, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams Senior, in his heart as the focal two that would begin it all musically for him. After a gift of an upright piano and taking lessons for a year, it was all becoming a gravy train with biscuit wheels for the soon to be renowned songwriter.

By the time he was sixteen years old, things began to fall in place. 'I was in a five piece band and we would rent local dance halls and pack ‘em out', recalled Dennis, who would later put pen to paper and write 'Wine Colored Roses', a classic song recorded by George Jones () ().

The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was grounds of the building of the Berlin Wall, causing a country to be divided. Culture was promptly altering and Dennis Knutson, now eighteen years old, was in the Army, posted in Hanau, Germany and began to experience the loneliness, which is the basic structure for many country music songs.

Back home, in the United States, The Beatles had played The Carven Club for the first time, 'Stand By Me' was No.1 on the pop music singles chart and Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 - Tuesday 5 March 1963) had a crossover hit with 'I Fall To Pieces' while she was in the hospital due to a car accident.

But, in frigid, lonely Germany, temperatures would reach twenty degrees below zero while soldiers were on constant alert and that meant the weekend passes were taken from them all the time. Dennis Knutson established a little salvation from the radio and began to write melodies from the songs that would inspire him to create his very own.

'I could type over a hundred words a minute', Dennis recalled, 'so I was changed from an artillery grunt to a court recorder in the Battalion headquarters…it made my stay a little easier, but still lonesome for home'.

Dennis Knutson also recalled, 'It was so nice to get out of the service on the troop ship back across the Atlantic'.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) had made the transition from rock music to country music. Dennis Knutson, however, was making the transition from soldier to civilian.

'I guess my attempt to start writing songs was around late 1964…I was dumb as bag of rocks, but I stayed with it', recalled Dennis.

Civilian life had brought Dennis Knutson back to where he was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington and where the beer joints he hung out in would make for some good material. Writing songs for his friends in Washington State, Dennis Knutson began to get notoriety from the musician friends he had met.

Bonnie Guitar was the stage name for Bonnie Buckingham who lived in Seattle, Washington and she took Dennis under her wing. Bonnie Guitar was most known for being the first to have a crossover country song to pop radio with her hit 'Dark Moon' (written by Ned Miller); second only to legendary Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 - Tuesday 5 March 1963) with a crossover hit.

Bonnie Guitar's 'Dark Moon' (written by Ned Miller) was a major hit song in 1957; it reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart and reached No.6 on the pop music singles chart.

Dennis Knutson recalled, 'I learned a lot from Bonnie Guitar. My one and only time as an artist was on an indie label; it was with a duo called Jerry & Denny that sounded in the same vein as The Everly Brothers. It was shipped to five states in the northwest and got a small amount of airplay, but that was the end of that'.

Dennis Knutson's first major cut was on Dot records, the label on which Bonnie Guitar was signed and she helped him get the cut; the song was 'Dawn Holds Another Day' and it became a hit for eleven year old Browning Bryant. The teen heart throb was a fixture in '16 Magazine' and he played the song on the variety show 'The Kraft Music Hall', by the side of Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) and June Carter Cash (Sunday 23 June 1929 - Thursday 15 May 2003).

One of Dennis Knutson's songs got in the hands of a female singer who asked could she have some of his songs to use for a voice try out for Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006). Dennis arranged a few songs together for her to present to Buck.

'The next thing I know, I received a call from Buck, who told me he was not going to sign her, but he wanted to sign me to an exclusive writing deal'

The content of this feature, which was originally titled 'Dennis Knutson: The Story Of A Blue Collared Songwriter' was written by Jason Wallace Robinson, who hails from Spartanburg, South Carolina; the feature was published (online) on Tuesday 12 June 2012 in Outlaw Magazine.

Additional information used within this article was kindly supplied by Eddie Burton.

Susan Raye recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Motherhood, Apple Pie And The Flag' and included the track on 'Pitty Pitty Patter' (Capitol Records, 1971).

Susan Raye recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Cheating Game' (co-written with Bonnie Guitar) and included the track on 'Cheating Game' (Capitol Records, 1973); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.

Tony Booth recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Happy Hour' (co-written with Alvis E. Owens) and included the track on 'Happy Hour' (Capitol Records, 1973); the track reached No.49 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973, and was subsequently included on 'The Essential Tony Booth' (Heart of Texas Records, 2009).

Joe Sun recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Bombed, Boozed And Busted' and included the track on 'Livin' On Honky Tonk Time' (Ovation Records, 1980); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.

Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'If I Didn't Have A Heart' and included the track on 'Soft Touch' (Epic Records, 1982).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Survivor' (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on 'On My Own Again' (Viva Records, 1983).

David Frizzell & Shelly West recorded Dennis Knutson's 'You Still Do It For Me' (co-written with Eddie Burton and David Frizzell) and included the track on 'In Session' (Viva Records, 1983).

Reba McEntire recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Poison Sugar', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Just A Little Love' (MCA Records, 1984).

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Daisy Chain' (co-written with Eddie Burton and Roger Wade) and included the track on 'Ladies Choice' ‎(Epic Records, 1984); the track was a duet with Barbara Mandrell.

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Somebody Wants Me Out Of The Way', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes' ‎(Epic Records, 1985); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.

Gene Watson recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Cold Summer Day in Georgia', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, 1985); the track reached No.24 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985 and featured backing vocals from Leona Williams, who was the ex-wife of Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016), and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004), along with the exquisite guitar work of Dave Kirby.

'Cold Summer Day in Georgia' was included, for the first time on CD, on Gene Watson's 'Ultimate Collection' (Universal / Hip-O Records, 2001).

Jeanne Pruett recorded Dennis Knutson's 'I'll Be In Love', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999) and Jerry Barlow, and included the track on 'Jeanne Pruett' (Dot Records, 1985).

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Wine Colored Roses', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Wine Colored Roses' ‎(Epic Records, 1986); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'The Right Left Hand', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Wine Colored Roses' ‎(Epic Records, 1986); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'The Bird', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Too Wild Too Long' ‎(Epic Records, 1987); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'I'm Goin' Home Like I Never Did Before', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999); the track was the 'B' side of the single 'The Bird'.

Doug Stone recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Fourteen Minutes Old', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Doug Stone' (Epic Records, 1990); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1990, and No.5 on The RPM Tracks Chart in Canada, also in 1990.

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'It Hurts As Much In Texas (As It Did In Tennessee)', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'Friends In High Places' ‎(Epic Records, 1991); the track was a duet with Ricky Van Shelton.

Cleve Francis recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Run Like The Wind' (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Waitin' (Liberty Records / Capitol Records, 1993).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'My Life Is Just A Bridge' and included the track on 'My Life Is Just A Bridge' (RCA Records, 1993).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'They'd Have To Hold My Arm Up' and included the track on 'My Life Is Just A Bridge' (RCA Records, 1993).

In 1993, Dennis Knutson's 'If You Need A Miracle' (co-written with Eddie Cunningham) was recorded by Ben E. King for Ichiban Records and was included on the soundtrack of the film 'Made In America' (1993), which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson and Will Smith; the film was directed by Richard Benjamin.

Mickey Gilley recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Last Dance With You', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999) and Eddie Burton, and included the track on 'Make It Like The First Time' (Branson Entertainment, 1993).

Moe Bandy recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Picture In A Frame' and included the track on Picture In A Frame' (Intersound Records, 1995).

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Just Look What We've Started Again', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'One' (MCA Nashville Records, 1995).

Jacob Lyda recorded Dennis Knutson's 'The First Stone' (co-written with Harold Pierce) and included the track on 'Here We Go Again' (Bob Grady Records, 1995).

Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'The Number' (co-written with Vern Gosdin) and included the track on 'Warning: Contains Country Music (The Great Ballads of Vern Gosdin)' (American Harvest Recordings, 1996).

Thrasher Shiver (Neil Thrasher and Kelly Shiver) recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Run Like The Wind' (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Thrasher Shiver' (Asylum Records, 1996).

Big House recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Cold Outside' (co-written with Monty Byrom, David Neuhauser and Max Reese) and included the track on 'Big House' (MCA Nashville Records, 1997); the track reached No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1997.

Big House's recording of Dennis Knutson's 'Cold Outside' (co-written with Monty Byrom, David Neuhauser and Max Reese) was included on the Various Artists collection 'Cryin', Lyin', Lovin' and Leavin' (Intersound Records, 1998).

IIIrd Tyme Out recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Cold Summer Day In Georgia', which was co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on 'John & Mary' (Rounder Records, 1999).

The Derailers recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Play Me The Waltz of The Angels' (co-written with Rory Lee Feek) and included the track on 'Full Western Dress' (Sire Records, 1999).

Shane Sellers recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Matthew, Mark, Luke and Earnhardt' and saw the track released as a single by DreamWorks Nashville Records in 2001); the track reached No.58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in May 2001. Shane Sellers also saw the release of the album 'Matthew, Mark, Luke and Earnhardt' on Lofton Creek Records in 2003.

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'She's Not In My Bed' (co-written with David Frizzell) and included the track on '2001' (Nashville America Records, 2001).

The Cornell Hurd Band recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Big Game Hunter', which was co-written with Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006); the track was included on the various artists collection 'Happy Birthday Buck: A Texas Salute To Buck Owens' (Texas Roundup Records, 2002).

Jason Allen recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Body And Fender Man' (co-written with Jason Allen and Mark Kerr) and included the track on 'Something I Dreamed' (D-Records, 2002).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'American Nights' (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Confidentially' (Nashville America Records/Madacy Records, 2004).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Reckless Wind' (co-written with DeWayne Blackwell and Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Confidentially' (Nashville America Records/Madacy Records, 2004); this track featured guest vocals from John Cowan.

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'In The Pine' (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Confidentially' (Nashville America Records/Madacy Records, 2004).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Confidentially' and included the track on 'Confidentially' (Nashville America Records/Madacy Records, 2004).

David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Run Like The Wind' (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on 'Confidentially' (Nashville America Records/Madacy Records, 2004).

Jason Allen recorded Dennis Knutson's 'Must Have Been Meant To Be' (co-written with Jason Allen and Larry Moore) and included the track on 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' (D-Records, 2004).